What is there to fear?

Xiong Wu looked at Zhou Jingfeng, whose expression was calm, then at Chen Yue standing behind him, his mind churning in confusion.

Taken on as a disciple? And in such a short time, formally accepted as a personal disciple?

Earlier, Yu Kan had come on behalf of Iron Mountain Hall to mediate, making clear the hall's interest in this matter. While Xiong Wu had guessed Zhou Jingfeng might think highly of Chen Yue, formal discipleship was a world apart in nature!

This meant today's affair was no longer a private grudge between the Sea Shark Gang and a Pearl Diver, but had escalated to the level of the Sea Shark Gang versus Iron Mountain Hall.

In terms of overt strength and manpower, the Sea Shark Gang naturally far surpassed Iron Mountain Hall, which had only a handful of core disciples. But Zhou Jingfeng himself was a formidable fighter, ranked among the top experts in the county.

More importantly, though Iron Mountain Hall seemed small, several disciples it had taught in earlier years had achieved considerable success elsewhere. And lately, Zhou Jingfeng had grown close to the Zhou Family, the most powerful faction in town.

But if he just withdrew like this, where would the Sea Shark Gang's face go?

Beaten bloody by a Pearl Diver, the gang leader sends someone to demand accountability, and then the other side's hall master says, "This is my disciple," and the Sea Shark Gang just folds?

If word of this got out, the Sea Shark Gang's authority at the docks and throughout Hepu County would vanish completely!

"Is it enough if I take this Life-Death Arena match, regardless of the outcome, to settle today's matter once and for all?" A calm voice sounded from behind Zhou Jingfeng, breaking the brief stalemate.

"Chen Yue!"

Zhou Jingfeng whirled around at the words, frowning deeply at Chen Yue. "With your master here, why would you need to take any Life-Death Arena match?"

His tone was resolute, genuine protection, not mere courtesy.

Zhou Jingfeng would rather openly oppose the Sea Shark Gang right now than let his newly accepted disciple Chen Yue risk such a deadly gamble.

Chen Yue bowed deeply to Zhou Jingfeng, his voice steady: "Master's kindness moves this disciple deeply. But today's matter began because of me. How could I let it implicate you and my senior brothers?"

Chen Yue raised his head, looking at Xiong Wu across from him. "Moreover, from his aura and physique, this man should also be at the Skin Refining Realm. Against a peer in cultivation, this disciple feels no fear. I beg Master's permission to settle this matter myself!"

Xiong Wu was momentarily stunned, then his scarred face relaxed into a rough, booming laugh.

"Hahaha! Good! Kid, you've got guts!"

Xiong Wu's laughter stopped, his bell-like eyes fixed on Chen Yue as he nodded. "Right, I'm indeed at Skin Refining! Since we're stepping onto the Life-Death Arena, it'll be a fair fight. The Sea Shark Gang wouldn't stoop to bullying the weak and giving others ammunition! Having that kind of backbone puts you way above those spineless cowards!"

Xiong Wu's expression turned serious, his tone more deliberate: "Hall Master Zhou, you heard him—this was his choice. Our Gang Leader Tang made it clear: sign the Life-Death Contract, step onto the platform, and this matter is completely settled!

The Sea Shark Gang will never seek trouble with Iron Mountain Hall or Chen Yue's family over this again!"

Chen Yue didn't answer Xiong Wu immediately. Instead, he looked back at his master Zhou Jingfeng, seeking his approval.

Zhou Jingfeng met Chen Yue's gaze, his mind racing through the subtle understanding of force Chen Yue had shown while practicing Mountain Crushing Fist earlier, and his foundation, far deeper than the average Skin Refining martial artist.

Though Xiong Wu was a seasoned Skin Refining veteran with rich combat experience, Chen Yue's talent was simply monstrous.

In a life-or-death struggle, variables were endless—Chen Yue might very well win!

After only a few breaths of deliberation, Zhou Jingfeng looked at Chen Yue and slowly nodded. He said nothing, but the nod was tacit consent.

With his master's approval, a smile bloomed on Chen Yue's face. He turned and met Xiong Wu's gaze directly:

"This Life-Death Contract—I, Chen Yue, accept!"

"Good! Refreshing!"

The grin on Xiong Wu's face could no longer be suppressed. Without further words, he reached into his chest and pulled out a prepared document. The three blood-red characters for "Life-Death Contract" were stark and jarring.

Yu Kan's face was solemn as he stepped forward, took the contract from Xiong Wu, and brought it close, scrutinizing every word carefully.

The contract's terms were concise and cold, stating that both parties voluntarily entered the arena, life and death were up to fate, and all grudges would be cleared afterward. There were no hidden traps. After reading, he gave Zhou Jingfeng a slight nod, signaling the contract was sound.

Zhou Jingfeng took the contract, scanned it, and his eyes settled on the time and place. After a moment's thought, he said, "Set the time for ten days from now."

Ten days—neither too long nor too short.

Given the talent Chen Yue had displayed, his strength could still advance further.

"Ten days? Fine!" Xiong Wu considered briefly, then nodded in agreement.

Ten days was enough for him to adjust his condition and for the news to spread, letting more people witness how the Sea Shark Gang dealt with unruly Pearl Divers.

Right then, under the witness of Zhou Jingfeng, Yu Kan, Ma Jun, and the others, Chen Yue and Xiong Wu each signed their names on that cold, ruthless Life-Death Contract and pressed their crimson fingerprints.

The contract was made in duplicate, each party keeping one copy.

Xiong Wu carefully folded his copy, tucked it into his chest, and cupped his fists to Zhou Jingfeng again, though this time his smile carried a hint of certainty: "Hall Master Zhou, ten days from now, we'll meet there! I take my leave!"

With that, he didn't spare Chen Yue another glance, as if the boy were already dead, and turned to stride out of Iron Mountain Hall.

His heavy footsteps faded into the distance, leaving only a stifling silence in the courtyard.

Once Xiong Wu's figure disappeared at the alley's end, the chill on Zhou Jingfeng's face eased slightly. He instructed Ma Jun, "Ma Jun, go to the county office and file this contract for the record. Just go through the motions, so the Sea Shark Gang can't cause more trouble later."

"Yes, Master!" Ma Jun replied, taking the contract Chen Yue handed back, and hurried out the door.

Though the Life-Death Arena could be arranged privately, filing it with the authorities minimized the chance of the deceased's relatives or faction seeking revenge under some pretext—a tacit rule of the martial world.

Only Iron Mountain Hall's own people remained in the courtyard. Zhou Jingfeng turned to Chen Yue, pondering, "Chen Yue, for these ten days, don't rush to delve deeper into Mountain Crushing Fist. The technique is good, but ten days aren't enough to master it, and it might not show its full power in a fight."

"How about I spar more with the junior brother in the next few days?" Yu Kan suggested from the side.

Zhou Jingfeng thought for a moment, then shook his head. "First, learn Eight-Step Cicada Chase in these days! That footwork is an excellent tool for survival and surprise attacks. Paired with Iron Mountain Saber, it'll maximize your current killing power! Saber techniques for offense, footwork for mobility—one direct, one cunning—that's the true path!"

"This disciple understands and will follow Master's arrangement!" Chen Yue nodded solemnly, knowing his master's reasoning was based on the optimal solution for real combat.

Zhou Jingfeng thought further and said to Chen Yue's family, "Since the Life-Death Contract is set, the Sea Shark Gang, for the sake of face, shouldn't resort to dirty tricks in the short term. Your family doesn't need to move to the Su Family for now. Stay in the training hall. It's quiet here and convenient for Chen Yue to focus on training.

Yu Kan, clean out the two adjoining guest rooms in the west wing."

"Yes, Master!" Yu Kan acknowledged.